January 25, 2011

Since the method I described in earlier post Download Android Apps from other markets in 8 steps is not working anymore. I got so many requests for any work around that allows users to download applications not available in Android Market in their country. For example apps such as Vevo, Line2 etc. are only available in US Android Market and not others. So this post describes a workaround which lets user download the apks which are not available in their country using their computer.Please note that for this method to work you need Android SDK installed on your system with Gingerbread platform available. In case you have no idea what that is please read my earlier post Learn Android App development with me.Okay, So here are the steps involved...

STEP 1: Download the Virtual Device I have made from http://www.4shared.com/file/rfrkVvUu/AllAbtEvrythng.html. This is an Android Gingerbread image with all the required tools pre-installed.
STEP 2: Extract its contents to a folder. Open the file 'AllAbtEvrythng.ini' Notepad and replace the text “your username here” with your username and save the file.(replace it with your computer user name)

STEP 3: Open any Windows explorer window (For example: My Documents) and paste %userprofile%/.android/avd in it and press Enter.

STEP 4: Copy and paste the contents of the downloaded file at this location. (That is, the folder opened in previous step.)
STEP 5: Goto your Android SDK installation folder and run ‘SDK Manager’. In SDK Manager you should see a new virtual device named ‘AllAbtEvrythng’. Select it and press Start.

STEP 6: Make sure that no checkboxes are checked and click Launch.

STEP 6: Your virtual device will now boot up.
STEP 7: Open Apps and click on Market. Click Next and then follow on screen instructions to sign in using your Google ID. (Check the below step by step screen captures of the process, click on image to enlarge it!)

Dont worry if you do not see any apps listed in Android Market.
STEP 8: Now open Browser in emulator and go to the link www.appbrain.com

STEP 9: Click on Sign In and sign in using your Google ID.

STEP 10: After Sign In gets complete open Appbrain App, Press Menu and go to its Prefrences.

STEP 11: Scroll Down and select Enable Fast web install. After completion you will get a message that Fast Web Install enabled successfully.

STEP 12: Now in AppBrain search for the app you want to download.

STEP 13:Click on the result which will open its description window and the install button.

STEP 14: Click on install button, Review the permissions and press Ok to install the app. you can also view the progress in notifications.

STEP 15: The app is now successfully installed on your emulator device.

Stay Tuned, Next part will include details about how to get those APK's out of emulator and onto your phone. Please include your valuable comments if this works for you Or if you face any problems or issues.